Mamelodi Sundowns kept their good record against SuperSport United intact when they secured a 3-0 victory in the Tshwane derby on Wednesday.
Sundowns proved once more why they are the undisputed kings of Pretoria with a complete performance at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Following the win, what are some of the things learnt from the game?
Sundowns still the team to beat
Mamelodi Sundowns may have struggled to put on impressive displays late in the year and in early January but their last three games prove that they are still the team to beat and that statement became even clear in the Tshwane derby.
The manner in which Sundowns dispatched SuperSport suggested it will take something special from Orlando Pirates to knock them off their patch for the league title this season.
Lucas Ribeiro the real deal
Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro displayed his qualities once more with an impressive performance in the derby and the PSL, not just Sundowns, will be lucky that he is playing in this league.
Ribeiro ended the game with one assist for the third goal but he was central to all Sundowns’ attacks and should have finished the game with more assists had Peter Shalulile not missed his opportunities.
Can Tshwane learn from Soweto?
Just days after PSL fans witnessed a capacity crowd at the FNB Stadium for the Soweto derby, the Tshwane derby had just a handful of fans, denying the players the atmosphere that would have made the game more special.
A near-empty stadium in such a big game is not a good exhibition for one of the top clashes in the PSL and it is about time the two sets of supporters started turning out in large numbers just like their Soweto rivals.
SuperSport in big problems
Coach Gavin Hunt cut a forlorn figure on the bench and in his post-match press conference and it was not hard to understand why given the way his team were outfought, outthought and outwitted by Sundowns.
It is not just this game as this has been the story of SuperSport, who have won just four of their 16 games, losing eight, and scored just six goals, the joint worst in the division that leaves them in 12th position, for a team that had top three ambitions.
Pirates have work cut out
The Tshwane derby also brought to the fore the kind of difficult task Orlando Pirates have not just beating Sundowns to the league title but also the upcoming match.
The top two sides face off on Saturday February 8, a game Pirates can ill afford to lose, as it will leave them nine points behind, but Sundowns’ current form is showing that it will be a tough task beating them, leave alone dislodging them from the top of the table.
